Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource. This position is located with the BLM Fire & Aviation Directorate, Division of Support Services, Remote Sensing Section located at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), in Boise, Idaho. Information about the surrounding area can be found at https://www.boisechamber.org/ We expect to fill several position(s) at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement.

Duties

Serves as resident technical RAWS expert, assist engineers, designers, and vendors in conceptualizing and developing Depot support capabilities for newly identified applications. Performs RAWS field maintenance, which include annual maintenance, installations, moves, and diagnostic testing for proper operation to the National Fire Danger Rating System standards. Performs all facets of field maintenance, test, evaluation, calibration, installation, design modification, and operational quality assurance certification on each assigned RAWS within the overall network. Evaluates RAWS electronic systems, computer and electro-mechanical components and subsystems to ensure they meet desired field application design and operational parameters. Performs troubleshooting of complicated sub-system interaction and the resulting difficulty of fault isolation because of the multiple hardware and firmware electronic and computerized technology disciplines involved. Performs as a lead technician in a crew and is directly responsible for coordination with wildland fire officials and assignment scheduling and planning. Set up, install, maintain, and certify proper operation of portable Incident Remote Automated Weather Stations (IRAWS) in support of active wildland fire, prescribe burning operations, or other special assignments. Performs analysis of weather data from operational RAWS stations for anomalies or malfunctions to track trends and to initiate a repair requirement for the affected station. Performs data entry of various maintenance databases to maintain historical records of all maintenance actions.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the How to Apply and Required Documents Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
• You must pass a pre-employment physical.
• May require completion of a one year probationary period.
• Must be able to qualify for Remote Automated Weather Station Technician (RAWS) or Technical Specialist (THSP), and UTV Operator (UTVO) position requirements.
• The incumbent must be able to complete required training and certification to operate ATV's, UTVs, within 6 months of employment.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: In order to be rated as minimally qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the minimum qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. For GS-09: You must possess one year specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-8 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: - Experience assembling, repairing or maintaining of Remote Automatic Weather Stations (RAWS) systems utilizing schematic diagrams, a variety of test equipment or knowledge of electronic formulas. - Experience applying applications knowledge of electronics to troubleshoot and evaluate systems issues or equipment design deficiencies. OR Education - Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, electronics technology or a related field that is directly related to the work of the position. OR Combination of Education and Specialized Experience as described above. For GS-10: You must possess one year specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-9 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: - Experience assembling, repairing, calibrating and maintaining of Remote Automatic Weather Stations (RAWS) systems utilizing schematic diagrams, a variety of test equipment, and knowledge of electronic formulas. - Experience applying applications knowledge of electronics to troubleshoot and evaluate multi-discipline systems issues and equipment design deficiencies. For GS-11: You must possess one year specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-10 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: - Experience repairing, maintaining, calibrating, redesigning and modifying complex multidiscipline Remote Automatic Weather Stations (RAWS) systems utilizing schematic diagrams, a variety of test equipment, and the application of appropriate electronic formulas. - Experience applying an in-depth theoretical and applications knowledge of electronics to troubleshoot and evaluate complex multi-discipline systems issues and equipment design deficiencies. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level. If selected at the lower grade, subsequent promotion to the next grade level will be processed without further competition dependent upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties. Salary Information: Boise, ID GS-09 $57,118 to $74,250 GS-10 $62,898 to $81,771 GS-11 $69,107 to $89,835 Physical Demands: Field work is accomplished under rudimentary and sometimes hazardous working conditions with a minimum amount of test equipment. Duties involve routine and recurring lifting of light to moderately heavy items weighing up to 50 lbs., (occasionally, requires heavy lifting of 85 lbs.), moving of equipment, and installation of RAWS system towers and equipment. This position requires the safe operation of four-wheel drive vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV/UTV) in remote areas that is often physically demanding. This position often requires driving for extended period (up to 10 hours per day). The incumbent will also be required to remove and replace intricate electronic and electro-mechanical components while looking through a magnifying glass. Work Environment: The incumbent works in both field and shop environments. Field work on occasions is hazardous due to the requirement of operating 4x4, ATV and UTV off-road vehicles in difficult and challenging terrain in remote areas, often in adverse weather conditions. Incumbent may be required to fly in helicopters and/or light fixed wing aircraft at low level in mountainous terrain. Helicopter operations may require landing in unimproved helicopter landing spots, sling loading equipment, and delivering equipment packages to fire line locations. Incumbent is required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as helmet, gloves, boots during field work and fire approved clothing/PPE during fire assignments. Field work is performed year-round from hot, dry and dusty desert environments to severe cold winter conditions of heavy snow, ice, and wind. The incumbent may be exposed to smoke from wildfires while performing fire support. Incentives: Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.

Education

Proof of Education:
All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

Pass/Fail Courses:
If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

Graduate Education:
One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

Foreign Education:
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address NIFC, Fire and Aviation Human Resources (MS-1700) 3833 South Development Avenue Boise, ID 83705 US
• Name: FA-HR-Internal NIFC
• Phone: 208-387-5523
• Email: [email protected]